New Gongbi Animal Painting. Chicken

Author: Fang Chuxiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The relationship between chickens and humans is very close, and it is one of the domestic animals that contribute to human life among the six livestock. According to unearthed artifacts, humans began to raise chickens in the Neolithic Age, and the character "" (ji) can be found in the oracle bone script of the Yin Ruins. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, chickens were already listed as one of the six livestock. The Book of Songs contains lines such as "The wind and rain are bleak, the chickens crow and chatter" and "The chickens have crowed, the morning is already full." It is not easy to paint a single chicken well, and it becomes even harder to paint three or five, or even a whole flock. The responsive and glancing combinations between them must be lively and not stiff, natural and not contrived—this is most important. Chinese painting does not focus on mere imitation of form, making the expressive ability of brush and ink particularly significant. Techniques can be meticulous or freehand, and shapes can be realistic or transformed and generalized. Generally, meticulous brushwork is more realistic and specific, while freehand brushwork is more generalized and refined. Meticulous brushwork should be precise yet not greasy, detailed yet not overly intricate, with shapes that are cohesive and grand. Freehand brushwork should be refined yet not wild or bizarre, simple yet not hollow, with brushwork and ink that perfectly capture the form and texture of the chickens. This art book introduces some techniques the author has used in recent years to paint chickens, which are mostly a combination of meticulous and freehand brushwork, slightly leaning toward meticulous. In terms of form, the author pursues realism, specificity, typicality, richness, and cohesion. In terms of technique, the author seeks lightness, simplicity, and clarity. In terms of composition, the author aims for freshness, naturalness, and attention to emotion and artistic charm. The author uses pure, unbleached Xuan paper for all the paintings, fully utilizing the special effect of Xuan paper's absorption and diffusion to better capture the texture of the chickens' feathers and patterns. The accompanying scenery can also leverage the unrestrained techniques of freehand painting to achieve even better artistic effects. There is no fixed method in painting, and it is hoped that this book can serve as a stepping stone to inspire further exploration.